Which is better among CQU, Griffith and Charles Sturt University?

The final decision to study at CQU o Charles Sturt University or Griffith is dependent on students' choice. A comparison of these 3 universities is given below:

What IELTS score is required for CQU?

At CQUniversity, English is the language of instruction and assessment. For the same purpose, the university accepts various English language proficiency tests. The minimum score requirement varies from course to course at CQUniversity. The IELTS score range that is required is 6.0 – 7.5. To know about the exact requirements, refer to the official website.

What is the reputation of Central Queensland University?

CQU is a public university in Australia that has been ranked in the top 700 universities in the world as per QS World University Rankings. It is also recognised among the top 800 universities in the world worldwide by the Times Higher Education World rankings Furthermore, it is a popular choice for international students and over 5,000 international students are there at CQU CQU offers a range of support services for international students, including cultural orientation programs and student accommodation Also Read: Central Queensland University Rankings

Who is eligible for Central Queensland University MBA?

CQ University admission requirements for the MBA course are given below: An undergraduate degree in any discipline from a recognised university or equivalent English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall with no band lower than 6.0 or equivalent

Is CQU a good university?

CQU is recognised globally as a 5-star institution. It has received 5 stars in the overall teaching, employability, global engagement, and facilities category, according to a top-ranking publisher. Also, as per The Good Universities Guide 2024, CQU has been rated 5 stars for postgraduate starting salaries. Furthermore, this university offers a wide range of course options for international students. More than 250+ courses are offered at the Undergraduate and Graduate levels. Also, the university offers a number of scholarships for international students such as International Merit Scholarship; Live, Earn, Learn Scholarship; etc.

How many students go to Central Queensland University?

At Central Queensland University, there are 30,000+ students. Students at this university hail from more than 70 countries. In the context of international students, there are 5,000+ students. There are more than 250+ course options available for international students to choose from. A few study areas at CQU are Accounting, Business, Nursing, IT, Diploma courses, Social Work, etc. To apply to this university, the applicants can use the university online portal.

How long does CQ University take to reply?

For Undergraduate and Postgraduate coursework courses, once CQ University has received all the required supporting documents, it will take approximately 7-10 working days for application processing. For research higher degrees, there is a longer application process and turnaround times depend on a few factors including the availability of the supervisor. To check the status of the application, students can log in at iStart. Students are going to be mailed about the application outcome by CQ University's International Admissions Team.

Who are the famous alumni of Central Queensland University?

Some of the famous personalities who went to CQ University are given below: Names Designation Martin Bowles Healthcare Executive and Former Senior Public Servant William McInnes Actor and Author Craig Foster Retired soccer player, Human Rights Activist, and Sports Analyst Craig Zonca Radio and TV Presenter Anna Meares Olympic Gold-Medal Winning Track Cyclist Terry Effeney Chief Executive Officer at Energex

What is the employment rate of Central Queensland University graduates?

According to the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS), given below are the placement rates: UG: 86.2% PG: 92.6% The average salary for this university’s graduates and postgraduates is AUD 78,300 (Around INR 43.2 L) and AUD 109,900 (Around INR 61 L) respectively.

Where are the alumni of Central Queensland University working?

According to the information available on the web, the graduates of Central Queensland University are working in the following organizations: Rio Tinto Queensland Health Queensland Department of Education ANZ NAB Deloitte Energy Queensland Commonwealth Bank

What is the average package for Central Queensland University graduates?

According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS) 2023, CQU graduates are earning some of the highest salaries and securing jobs faster post-graduation. Note that the university's UG cohort has been placed No. 2 in Australia for median full-time salary, with graduates earning an average salary of AUD 78,300 – more than AUD 7,000 above the Australian average of AUD 71,000 (Around INR 38 L). Also, CQ postgraduates are highly sought-after by employers, having an average salary of AUD 109,900 (Around INR 58.5 Lakh).

What is the RTP scholarship offered at Central Queensland University?

Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarships of CQ University aim to provide funding to assist students with their living costs. The value of these scholarships is up to AUD 32,000 per year. To be eligible, students must not be receiving income from another source to support the students’ general living costs while undertaking their course of study if that income is greater than 75% of the students’ stipend rate. Selection criteria include: Academic achievement and writing skills Quality of research project and alignment with CQ University research priority areas Evidence of motivation, research experience, and research environment

What is International Student Scholarship (ISS) of Central Queensland University?

International Student Scholarship (ISS) of CQU is one of the most popular scholarships offered to international students. This scholarship provides a significant saving of 25% on the total course tuition fees. An example of how the deduction of the tuition fee shall be done is given below: Example PG Courses Year 1 Year 2 Estimated tuition fees 33,000 33,000 Scholarship (25% Value) 8,250 8,250 Reduced Tuition fees 24,750 24,750 Details of ISS Scholarship ISS is available to all new international students in Vocational, Research, Full degree, and English packaged with academic courses As such, there is no minimum GPA to receive this scholarship If students have completed their most recent studies and are starting their course at CQUniversity as a new university, then they will be considered for this scholarship automatically and will receive a 25% reduction in the course fee Also Read: Top Australia Scholarships for International Students

What is the International Merit Scholarship at CQU?

Central Queensland University International Merit Scholarship (IMS) is available to all new international students in Vocational, Research, Full-degree and English packaged with academic courses. The scholarship value is between 15% - 25%, depending on the previous academic performance or English language proficiency. Check more details about the eligibility of this scholarship from the university's official website.

How can I apply for admission at Central Queensland University?

Students can apply to CQU through its designated international student application portal – iStart. The documents required to apply are: Academic transcripts Personal identification documents such as Passport English language proficiency test score Any other document required (as applicable)

What are the entry requirements for the Central Queensland University for Indian students for MBA course?

The applicants are required to have one of the following for admission to the CQU MBA course: A completed Australian bachelor’s degree, or higher Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) equivalent qualification with 3 years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) relevant business experience OR A minimum of 5 years relevant business experience is required English Language Proficiency Score for International Students IELTS score of at least 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in sub-sections OR OET with Grades A or B in each of the four components OR TOEFl with 79 score OR PTE score of 62 OR Other English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students If students were born in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa or USA, then they are required to meet the below-given ELP requirements: Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion with the last 5 years of: A secondary qualification (Year 11 or 12, or equivalent) OR AQF Certificate IV qualification OR AQF Diploma level qualification OR A bachelor’s level qualification study for a period of minimum 2 years full-time with a minimum of overall GPA of 4.0 Completed within Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, South Africa, Ireland, USA will meet the English language proficiency. Also Read: MBA in Australia

How long does it take to get an offer letter from CQUniversity?

After CQU receives all the supporting documents, it will take around 7-10 working to process the applications. The applicants can log into iStart to check the status of their application. International Admissions Team will notify the applicants about the outcome of their application. Note that the applicants are allowed to submit only one application.

How to apply for Central Queensland University?

International students seeking admission to CQU can apply through iStart. This is the online application system for international students at CQUniversity. The applicants need to register at iStart and registering will help students to do the following: Complete CQU application Track the status of the application Receive the offer Accept the offer Supporting Documents Required to Submit the Application Academic transcripts Translations of academic transcripts (If they are in other language than English) Personal identification document like Passport English language proficiency test score Note: There is no Central Queensland University application fee

How much is CQU fees for international students?

Here's the tuition fee of Central Queensland University: Course level Annual Tuition Fee in INR UG INR 6.57 L - 22.22 L PG INR 17.97 L - 24.95 L Cost of Living: The living cost in Australia varies as per students’ accommodation, lifestyle, and location. The suggested is the weekly budget for students living in Australia: Particulars Expenses Accommodation AUD 150 – AUD 700 Groceries and eating out AUD 100 – AUD 300 Gas, electricity and water AUD 50 – AUD 80 Phone and internet AUD 15 – AUD 55 Public Transport AUD 15 – AUD 55 Car AUD 150 – AUD 260 Entertainment AUD 80 – AUD 150

What is the cost of pursuing MBA Leadership at CQU?

The estimated CQU MBA Leadership is AUD 15,360 for international students for one year. This is equivalent to INR 8.5 L. Besides this, students are also required to look for the living expenses which may vary as per the students’ lifestyle.

What are the prerequisites required of Master of Business Management course at CQU?

Central Queensland University Master of Business Management course admission requirements are: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualifications in any discipline from a recognised tertiary institute is required IELTS score of overall 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5. in each subset / TOEFL score of 75 or better in iBT / PTE score of overall 54 with no sub-score less than 46 / OET with Grades A or B in each of the components If students were not born in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa or USA, then they are required to meet the below-given ELP requirements: Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion with the last 5 years of: A secondary qualification (Year 11 or 12, or equivalent) OR A bachelor’s level qualification study for a period of minimum 2 years full-time with a minimum of overall GPA of 4.0 Completed within Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, South Africa, Ireland, USA will meet the English language proficiency.

What is the acceptance rate for CQU?

Various unofficial sources have mentioned that Central Queensland University acceptance rate is 50%. But, a few of the other sources have mentioned that the acceptance rate of CQUniversity is 65%. This means that the university is moderately selective when it comes to admissions. So, to take admission to this university, the applicants must aim to meet all the entry and application requirements. The minimum admission requirements include the completion of Australia Year 12 equivalent for admission to bachelor’s courses. Whereas, for admission to postgraduate coursework courses, the applicants should have completed a bachelor’s degree.

Which courses are opted by Central Queensland University graduates?

Some of the courses studied by CQ University Australia are: Information Technology Project Management Accounting and Related Services Business / Commerce Business Administration and Management Mechanical Engineering Marketing Accounting and Finance Computer Science Civil Engineering Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Is it worth pursuing MBA at Central Queensland University?

The duration of a CQ University MBA is 1.5 years. Studying MBA from this university is delivered by highly qualified course leaders with real-world businesses and public sector experience to support the career trajectory. Some of the things that will be developed by studying MBA at this university are: Management expertise beyond the fundamentals of running organizations Focusing on managing and leading people with integrity and effective change management Furthermore, an MBA from CQ University provides students with the opportunity to advance their management career and become an influential leader in today’s changing environment. Also, as per The Good Universities Guide 2024, this university’s placement rate is 91.6% for Business and Management graduates (full-time) 4 months after completing their course.

What is the duration of the Master of Engineering course at CQ University?

The duration of the CQ University Master of Engineering course is 2 years. The first-year fee for this course is AUD 31,980. After studying this course, students are going to develop their knowledge and skills in traditional Engineering disciplines of Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering as well as the choice to develop skills for other specialist Engineering applications. After pursuing this course, students can take up job opportunities in a variety of careers such as Energy, Infrastructure, and Resources.

What is the ranking of CQ university in the world?

As per a top-ranking publisher, CQ University Australia ranks within the Top 500 Universities in the World category in 2025. In the year 2024, it ranked in the Top 600 Universities in the World. Also, the university’s School of Business has been ranked among the world’s best Business Schools with its MBA course named in the Top Tier in the CEO Magazine’s Annual Global Rankings.

Where does CQ University rank in the world rankings?

CQ University ranking is #495 in 2025. Furthermore, in another top-ranking publisher's ranking, the university ranks at #501-600 in 2025 and 2024. In all, Central Queensland University ranks among the Top 1000 Universities in the World. CQ is recognised as one of the Top 600 Universities in the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025.

What sports opportunities are offered by Central Queensland University?

Various sporting opportunities are available at CQ University. Whether students want to compete on behalf of the university or want to try something new, there is something for everyone. Students can represent the university by nominating themselves UniSport Australia events such as Nationals Div 1 and Div 2, Athletics, and more. In addition to this, students can also join CQUni Moves virtual trek challenges throughout the year to stay fit and healthy.

20 Videos,

15 Photos

CQ University: Rankings, Cost, Programs, Placements

Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia

2.6 /5

(1 Review)

21 Student Q&A

Shiksha popularity ranking

#614 in World

#36 in Australia

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1 Campus
Estd. 1967

Last updated on 13 Jan '25

CQU
What's new?

Generally, CQU recommends international students to apply 3 months before the desired intake as application closing dates vary depending on the country. Check more about Central Queensland University Reviews from here.

CQU Overview

Table of content

About Central Queensland University
CQU Popular Courses
Central Queensland University Programs
Central Queensland University Scholarships
Central Queensland University Admissions 2025
+ 9 more items

About Central Queensland University

Central Queensland University is a research, inclusive education university which was founded in 1967 and is based in Rockhampton, Australia. It was originally founded as the Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT). Also, the university is consistently ranked among the top universities for graduate starting salaries, as per the QILT 2022 Graduate Outcomes Survey. Its campuses and study centres are spread over Australia. It is known to have the largest geographical footprint of any Australian university with a campus located in every mainland state of Australia. The university's campuses are located in Adelaide, Cairns, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Emerald, Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Rockhampton, and Townsville.

There are over 30,000 students at CQ University hailing from more than 70 countries. Over 5,000 international students are there at the university. With an acceptance rate of around 65%, Central Queensland University is one of the Top Universities in the World in 2025. Furthermore, as per The Good Universities Guide 2024, this university has achieved 5 stars. Some of the highlights of CQU are given below:

Things to Know about CQU

Some of the things for CQ University are given below:

Particulars	Statistics
Acceptance Rate	Around 65%
Shiksha Grading	C
Popular Courses	MBA Bachelor of Aviation Commercial Pilot Master of Information Technology Bachelor of Information Technology Master of Public Health
No. of students	30,000+
No. of international students	5,000+

History

Central Queensland University was originally founded in 1967 as the Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT) Capricornia. Gladstone Campus was established in 1978 and Mackay Campus was established in 1987. In the year 1988, Bundaberg Campus was established. In the year 1992, the university was granted full university status. Then, in the year 1994, the name of the university was changed to Central Queensland University. Sydney Campus was also established in the same year.

In the year 1997, the Melbourne campus was established and then in the year 1998, the Brisbane campus was established. Then, in the year 2014, the university merged with CQ TAFE to bring together more than 175 years of combined experience in education delivery and training and establish Queensland’s first comprehensive, dual-sector university.

Students can also check the Study Guide to Australia for International Students

Learn more about Central Queensland University Highlights in the below videos:

Year of establishment

1967

Also known as

CQU

University website

Go to Website Link Arrow Icon

Student website

Go to Website Link Arrow Icon

Total foreign students

5000

No. of campus

Scholarships available

Accepted exams

TOEFL
PTE
IELTS
+2 more

UG/PG course ratio

0.95

Commonly asked questions
On Highlights

Q: How good is Central Queensland University?

CQ University Melbourne is a well-regarded university in Australia with a reputation for offering high-quality programs. It is ranked among the top 700 universities in the world as per QS World University Rankings.

It has a strong focus on practical, hands-on learning, with a range of industry-focused programs that have been designed to prepare graduates for successful careers in their chosen fields
CQU offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines such as Business, Health, Engineering, Education, etc.
CQUniversity has a supportive and inclusive campus culture, with a range of facilities and services available to support students throughout their studies
The university has a strong commitment to research, with various research institutes and centers focused on areas like Health, Education, and Sustainable Development

Also Read: Why Study in Australia?

Q: How many international students are in CQU?

More than 5000 international students are there are CQ University Australia. In total, there are more than 16,000 students at CQU on-campus. A varied range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs are offered at CQU. More than 490 courses are offered by CQU on-campus. A few of the study areas at the university include Business and Accounting; Digital Media, Communication and Arts; Information Systems and Technology; etc. Furthermore, international students are offered on-campus accommodation opportunities as well.

Q: Does Central Queensland University offer scholarships to international students?

Yes, CQ University offers scholarships to international students. All new international students at the university are automatically considered for International Student Scholarship. It is available to students in vocational, research, full-degree and English packaged with academic courses. As per this scholarship, students can receive a 25% reduction in the course fee. There is no minimum GPA to receive this scholarship.

Q: Why choose Central Queensland University?

CQU is known for positive graduate outcomes. The Good Universities Guide 2024 has rated the university as 5-star for postgraduate starting salaries. It is a great university for the studies because it has a wide range of course options, generous scholarships, affordable fees, and real-world internships to help make the decision easy. It is a vibrant and multi-cultural place to study with students from over 100 countries.

Q: How good is Central Queensland University?

CQ University is a well-regarded university in Australia, with a reputation for offering high-quality teaching and research programs. It is ranked in the Top 600 universities in the world according to a world-ranking publisher. A few of the highlights of CQ University are given below:

It has a strong focus on practical, hands-on learning, with a range of industry-focused programs that are designed to prepare graduates for successful careers in their selected fields
It offers a diverse range of programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels across various disciplines like Engineering, Business, Health, Education, and the Arts
CQU has a supportive and inclusive campus culture with a range of facilities and services available to students throughout studies

TOEFL iBT Test is accepted across all the colleges across Australia. Use coupon code SHIKTOEFL to get an instant discount of up to RS 500.

CQU Popular Courses

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B.Sc.

MBA/PGDM

PG Diploma

Master of Management for Engineers icon

2 years

1st yr. Tuition Fees

₹19 L

Exams Accepted

Master of Information Technology icon

2 years

1st yr. Tuition Fees

₹19 L

Exams Accepted

Masters degree in Clinical Chiropractic icon

2 years

1st yr. Tuition Fees

₹24 L

Exams Accepted

IELTS

Master of Construction Management icon

2 years

1st yr. Tuition Fees

₹18 L

Exams Accepted

Master of Information Systems icon

2 years

1st yr. Tuition Fees

₹19 L

Exams Accepted

Central Queensland University Programs

More than 250 courses are offered by Central Queensland University. The courses that are offered are Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Certificate, and Diploma. Some of the study areas at the university are Business and Accounting; Creative, Performing & Visual; Engineering, Built Environment and Aviation; Information Systems and Technology; Psychology, Social Work, and Community Services, etc. Check more details about Central Queensland University Courses from here.

According to the details mentioned on the web, CQ University alumni studied varied courses such as Information Technology; Accounting and Related Services; Business / Commerce; Project Management; Business Administration and Management; Marketing; Mechanical Engineering, etc.

MS

5 Courses

2.62 years

1st year Tution Fees

₹18 L - 24 L

Get Fee Details

Shiksha Ranking

#30

Vamsi + 5 others got admitted through us.

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B.Sc.

10 Courses3 - 4 years

1st year Tution Fees

₹17 L - 21 L

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Shiksha Ranking

– / –

12.9K+ students got admitted through us.

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View All 15 Courses

Central Queensland University Admissions 2025

To apply to CQ University, international applicants can apply through i-Start. A general admission process is given below:

Application Deadlines 2024/25

CQ University recommends students to submit the application at least 3 months prior to the start of the desired admission intake. Application closing dates may vary as per the country. The application closing dates for PG courses are given below:

Particulars	Application Closing Dates
Term 1, 2025	Feb 24, 2025

Note: Some programs may have early closing dates as well.

Admission Requirements for International Students

The general requirements are given below:

Certificate: Successful completion of an Australian Year 10 or equivalent
Diploma: Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 or equivalent or completion of AQF Certificate IV or equivalent
UG: Successful completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent
PG Coursework: Completion of a bachelor’s degree with an equivalent to an Australian pass grade average in the final two terms
English language requirements vary as per course. IELTS / TOEFL / PTE scores are accepted

Acceptance Rate

According to unofficial sources, Central Queensland University acceptance rate is around 65%. The acceptance rate suggests that the university is moderately selective at the time of admission.

Application Fee

A non-refundable fee of AUD 100 (Around INR 5,500) may apply for some regions.

Eligibility

Though the entry requirements may vary as per the courses, the documents that are required to take admission to CQ University Australia are:

Academic transcripts
Personal identification documents such as Passport
English language proficiency test score
Any other document (as applicable)

Also read:

Application fees :No Fees
Type of deadline :Regular

Documents

Type of documents	Applicable for
SOP	Not required
LOR	Not required
Essays	Not required
CV	Not required
Additional documents	Required

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Admission details of all courses

CQU Vs Griffith University Vs Charles Sturt University - Which is Better?

A comparison of similar universities to CQ University is given below:

Compare CQU with other similar colleges

B.Sc.

MBA/PGDM

PG Diploma

B.E. / B.Tech

UG Diploma

MIM

Others UG

B.Ed

BBA

College	1st Year Tuition Fees	Shiksha Grade	Ranking
Central Queensland University	INR 18.46 L - 24.38 L	C	#495 QS, 2025
Swinburne University of Technology Compare	INR 15.28 L - 29.04 L	B++	#251 THE, 2025
Curtin University - Australia Compare	INR 16.51 L - 23.46 L	B++	#174 QS, 2025
Griffith University Compare	INR 19.23 L - 26.01 L	B+	#255 QS, 2025
University of Canberra Compare	INR 15.17 L - 27.36 L	C++	#401 THE, 2025
Western Sydney University Compare	INR 15.21 L - 21.27 L	B+	#301 THE, 2025

The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison

View comparisons

CQU
Studying in Australia

Key Facts About Australia

Insights on education, demographics & weather.

Education in Australia

118+Universities & colleges

1.22LIndian students in Australia in 2024

48 hours per fortnightPart-time work permit

6 yearsPost-study work permit

Country stats

CanberraCapital

26.47M (2023)Total population

3%Economic growth rate in 2022

EnglishPrimary language

Weather

May

Popular LocationsMinMax

Melbourne1017

Sydney1220

Brisbane1524

Adelaide1119

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Central Queensland University Notable Alumni

Some of the names that are included in the alumni list of CQ University Australia are Martin Bowles, Craig Foster, Anna Meares, William McInnes, etc. The complete list with the designation names is given below:

Names	Designation	Pictures
Martin Bowles	Healthcare Executive and Former Senior Public Servant
Craig Foster	Retired soccer player, Human Rights Activist, and Sports Analyst
William McInnes	Actor and Author
Anna Meares	Olympic Gold-Medal Winning Track Cyclist
Craig Zonca	Radio and TV Presenter
Terry Effeney	Chief Executive Officer at Energex

From clubs and societies, student leadership events and activities, and sports, there is something for everyone to enjoy Central Queensland University campus life. A few of the details in this context are given below:

Clubs and Societies: Students can join a club or society at the university in order to meet new people and make lifelong friendships
Sport: At CQU, a number of sporting opportunities are available. Students can represent themselves by nominating themselves for UniSport Australia events such as Nationals Div 1 and Div 2, Athletics, and more. Additionally, students can also join CQUni Moves virtual trek challenges throughout the year

Campus Location

CQ University has campuses and study centres across Australia. The campus and study centres locations are Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Rockhampton, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville, etc. Check details about CQ University Campus from here.

Central Queensland University FAQs

About the author

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